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CRUTCH & CANE INSTRUCTIONS |
In order to let your injured
foot, ankle, knee, or leg heal, please follow these directions:
Crutches will be measured to
fit you based on your height.
Crutches should fit so that
when you stand straight, there are at least 2 fingerbreadths
of space between the top of the crutch and your armpit.
Crutches should never be "leaned
on" so that there is pressure on your armpit. There are
nerves that run under the arms and pressure on these nerves may
cause damage. (Numbness in the hand or arm is a sign of this.)
The crutch handgrips are adjustable
and should be adjusted so that your hands carry your weight when
your arms are extended. Your weight should all be on y our hands/palm,
and NEVER on your armpits.
When walking with crutches,
put the crutches out;in front of you first; then, carrying your
weight on the crutches, swing your good foot and your body forward.
Do not advance the crutches more than a normal step ahead of
you.
For going up stairs: Using your
crutches, put your good foot up one step, then bring your crutches
and body up to the same step. You may want to hop up stairs using
both crutches in one hand and a handrail in the other hand for
support. For going down stairs: Using your crutches, put the
crutches down first, then advance your good foot and body. Again,
you may want to hop down the stairs using the crutches and a
handrail for support.
CAUTION: When crutch tips get wet, or when you
are walking on wet floors, the crutch tips get slippery. Great
care must be taken order to keep crutches from sliding out from
under you.
A properly fitted cane should
rest on the ground with your hand on it and your elbow slightly
bent when you are standing up straight.
A cane should normally be carried
in the opposite hand from your injured leg (i.e., if you hurt
your left foot, your cane should be in your right hand).
Normally, you will step forward
with your injured leg and swing the cane forward at the same
time. Then, bearing your weight partly on the cane and partly
on your injured leg, you will swing the good leg through and
take another normal step with it.
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For questions or comments,